Little Red Riding Hood is a story that has been reshaped and revised for hundreds of years. It has been touched by the hands of Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm and more recently by computer animation in Hoodwinked. Only a red cape, a grandmother, a wolf and the woods are necessary to deem a story a retelling of this classic fable. Catherine Hardwicke’s Red Riding Hood contains all of these elements, but little beyond these symbols exist to connect her story to its more classical narrative.

In this rendition, the girl cloaked in red is no longer a child, but now a young woman. She lives in a medieval village that is isolated from the outside world because of an evil creature that haunts and torments the town. Monthly, during each full moon, the townsmen sacrifice their finest livestock to keep the beast’s murderous tendencies dormant. Violence still erupts, though, and a young woman is slaughtered. The victim’s inconsolable sister is Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) and the rightful owner of the nearly blood red cloak. Her grief for her deceased sister is immense, but her ultimate torment comes from the agony of a star-crossed romance with a man that she cannot have.

Peter, played by Shiloh Fernandez, is that one true love. He is a dangerous and handsome woodcutter, destined to be poor, but consistent in his broody sex appeal. Tragically, she is betrothed to Henry (Max Irons). Henry is an amicable, attractive and quite wealthy fellow, but far too passive and decent to win Valerie’s heart. She has no fire for him, but his love to her remains true. Basically, just think of Team Edward and Team Jacob and nearly all of the details regarding the love triangle will be explained.

Continue Reading